Optimistic About Competing at the SEA Games 2027, IPF Intensifies Pickleball Socialisation
Jakarta — The Indonesia Pickleball Federation (IPF) continues to intensify the socialisation of pickleball across the archipelago. The sport, which is rising in popularity, is believed to have the potential to contribute medals for Indonesia if officially contested at the SEA Games 2027 in Malaysia.
Harlin Rahardjo, the IPF’s Vice Chairman, assessed that the opportunity for pickleball to appear in Malaysia is quite open. Although the official decision has not been announced, he is optimistic that the host nation has an interest in including the sport in the competition list.
“The decision hasn’t been made yet, but looking at Malaysia’s strength in pickleball, they would certainly want to play it. Moreover, hosts usually have the right to decide which sports are contested,” said Harlin at the Pickleball VATA Courts, Kemang, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
According to him, besides Malaysia, Vietnam is a main rival in Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, Indonesia is believed to be able to compete.
“Malaysia and Vietnam are indeed stronger, but for medals we’re confident we can win. At present, there are our athletes who regularly participate in a number of international tournaments,” he said.
Development and facility expansion
Domestically, the PB IPF continues to widen the training base. Throughout 2025, a number of national championships and student tournaments were held with support from universities. Socialisation is also carried out to various communities by expanding training facilities.
VATA, one of the drivers of facility development, plans to reopen sport centres at two locations, namely Jakarta and West Java. In the Pengadegan area, Pancoran, South Jakarta, five pickleball courts will be built, claimed to be among the largest in Jakarta.
Additionally, Nikavata Sports Lab will be built in Cibubur, Kota Wisata. The sports complex is designed as a integrated sport precinct equipped with two pickleball courts, two tennis courts, two padel courts, a swimming pool, and gym facilities.